Controversial Take: Making Predators/Antags In Splatterpunk/Extreme Horror Overtly Gross In Form Isn't (Typically) The Way To Go
HEAR ME OUT.
So many authors will describe the antagonist as being ridiculously vile in the physical aspect for no other reason than gross-out.
Some examples: R.J. Powell's Dollhouse series villains (literally all of them), Tory Favro's villain Marju, from his book Piñata (it was really bad, but I kinda feel awful for saying that because, from what I've heard, Tory himself is a sweetie), everyone in R.J. Bennetti's Hamster's Ball (even though I am enjoying reading it).
Now, this can be done right, too. All you need is a reason/plot-oriented explanation for it. The Slob by Aron Beauregard, for example, has The Slob being absolutely vile to follow the story's central theme, which ALSO ties into Vera's trauma.
It can also be used for social commentary in a more exaggerated universe that centers around a message that the author intends to convey.
Unfortunately, most of the time, people don't utilize it as they should, and instead, it becomes a cheap way of garnering shock points.
Not the same thing, but kinda an inverse: When designing Wade Wilder, I intentionally made him conventionally attractive so I could touch on the topic of how the media treats serial killers with a good jawline. I mean, y'all know about all them Dahmer fangirls— hybristophiles would write that asshat love letters in bulk. Ted Bundy, too. His looks also served a different function for the overarching plot, but saying what that would absolutely spoil the book before release.
[Now, am I saying that I'm better? Is this post me licking my own nuts clean? Fuck no, my story could be dogshit, it's not even out yet ffs. So far, the people I just used for examples of "a bad trope" have gotten WAYYY farther than me. My criticism of them is purely as a casual reader, not even a fully fledged critic, and DEFINITELY not as another writer. I'm just saying that, either way you look at it, character design for an antagonist should have thought put into it. Protagonists too, but especially antagonists when it comes to this genre]
I've seen EH antagonist character designs that serve a purpose and do so clearly.
Good examples:
The aforementioned Slob in The Slob by Aron Beauregard, which was for the central theme as previously stated.
Blythe, the social media influencing splatter antag from
Ivy Tholen's Tastes Like Candy. (I love Blythe so much, even if I wasn't big on the overall story)
Killian from Sanity's The Man With The Scarred Neck, who was made to be conventionally attractive to accentuate the incubus aspect— something which is heavily related to the plot itself, as well as the character's background. (Might also be partially the author's type, but I can't prove it...)
SO, FOR ASPIRING SPLATTERPUNK AUTHORS, PLEASE TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SETTING, THEMES, AND INTENDED MESSAGES WHEN WRITING YOUR VILLAINS! IT REALLY HELPS BRING YOUR WRITING TO LIFE 🧡
[For anyone who came from the reblog, swipe fucked me over by saying "eventuate" instead of "accentuate". Kill me]
